Music maestro AR Rahman, who became the first Indian to win the prestigious Golden Globe Award, dedicated it to the "billion people of India."
Indian music maestro AR Rahman created history on Sunday night by winning the Golden Globe award. At a glittering ceremony in Los Angeles, Rahman bagged the Golden Globe for Best Original Music Score for Slumdog Millionaire for his song Jai Ho, penned by lyricist Gulzar.
The film also won the Best Screenplay (Simon Beaufoy), Best Director (Danny Boyle), Best Motion Picture (Drama) at the 66th Golden Globe ceremony.
After several decades of hard work in Bollywood, this award brings the much-deserved international recognition to the ‘Mozart of Madras’. Dedicating his win to the “billion people of India,” Rahman thanked the director and his fellow musicians in Mumbai and Chennai. “Unbelievable! I thought I would not win, so anyways thanks to the almighty God for bringing me here,” he said while accepting the award.
Before leaving for the Golden Globes, Rahman had told After Hrs, “I want to win this for India - not for me, not for anyone else. It was a privilege to work with Danny and we have become great friends. I chose to do the film because I believed in it. It’s extraordinary!”
A Mumbai underdog’s rags-to-riches story, the film stars Irrfan Khan, Freida Pinto, Anil Kapoor, Dev Patel, among others. “I can only say AR Rahman ki jai ho! Slumdog Millionaire ki jai ho! I’m really happy for him. I’m in love with his music and I think he deserves much more than the Golden Globe award,” says actor Irrfan Khan, who’s currently with his family in Jaipur.
“The best thing about his music is that time and again, he tries to surprise himself by doing better than what he has already done. He’s a very humble man. It’s good for him that the West is recognising his talent…I was ecstatic when he was nominated.”
Also representing India was Shah Rukh Khan, looking dashing in a black tuxedo and shiny black tie, who went on to introduce the film along with Freida Pinto. “I didn’t imagine this,” laughs Pinto over the telephone from her suite at the Four Seasons in LA. “I’m so thrilled and excited. It has really put India on the map.”
From the time she’s landed in the US on January 7, it’s been a whirlwind of activity. “I met so many actors (including Tom Cruise) — the experience was so overwhelming,” says the 24-year-old.
There are double celebrations in store as she also won the Breakthrough Performance award at the Palm Springs Awards Festival in California last week. “My parents are so proud of me and I feel grateful to them for all the support they’ve given me,” she says.
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